The Words We've Heard

Ep. 12: Art, Adventure, and an Unscripted Life with Dale

📝 Show Notes In the season finale of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with her own mother, Dale, for a conversation that traces an unconventional and deeply meaningful life—from post-war Pennsylvania to San Francisco, Tokyo, and beyond. Together, they explore Dale’s childhood in a family of educators, her early love of dance, studying French in Belgium and art history in Florence, and the challenges and joys that came with raising a family and following her husband’s career around the country and abroad. From earning her CPA as a young mother to curating an international print show in Japan, Dale’s story weaves together artistry, resilience, and quiet courage. It’s a heartfelt reflection on change, compromise, and creating a life that, while not linear, has been entirely her own and wholly wonderful. * If you’d like future seasons of The Words We’ve Heard, please contribute to keep it running at https://buymeacoffee.com/marbree [https://buymeacoffee.com/marbree] * If you’d like to give feedback or make suggestions about the podcast or know of a great guest, please click here [ https://form.typeform.com/to/kSglXvO]

Ep. 11: Travel, Transition, and Creating a Career in an Emerging Field with Cindy

Travel, Transition, and Creating a Career in an Emerging Field with Cindy In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Cindy, whose life bridges academia, ministry, and family with humility and grace. From an idyllic childhood in Connecticut to studying abroad in the Netherlands as a teenager, Cindy’s early years sparked a lifelong love of language, learning, and global awareness. She shares the experience of attending a girl’s school in Europe, encountering sexism in college, transferring to Yale, finding a calling in an emerging profession, and more. Cindy speaks candidly about losing her mother at a young age, divorce, finding a true life partner in her second husband, how retirement opened the door to a surprising second career as a deacon, and the gift of learning different cultures.   This is a story about broadening perspectives, service, family, education, and the courage to make your way in the world. 🎧 Key Moments in the Episode * [00:00:00] – A Joyful Childhood in Connecticut and Relocating as a Teen * [00:07:25] – Studying Abroad in the Netherlands and Learning to Dream in Dutch * [00:12:45] – Coming Home: Culture Shock and Debate Team * [00:17:27] – Choosing a Course of Study and Transferring to Yale * [00:21:12] – Losing Her Mother and Starting Life as an Adult * [00:23:40] – Finding Her Calling in Social Work * [00:28:00] – Raising a Family, Pursuing a PhD, and Balancing it All * [00:35:00] – Becoming a Deacon and Discovering a Second Vocation * [00:40:58] – Living with Her Husband’s Alzheimer’s and Shifting Needs * [00:48:55] – A Wish for the World: Be Kind to One Another 💬 If this episode touched you: * Share it with someone navigating change or caregiving * Leave a review to help more people discover the show * Follow The Words We’ve Heard for more stories of everyday lives we can all aspire to

Ep. 10: Brotherly Bonds, Career Choices, and Healing Old Wounds with Bill

In this wide-ranging episode, Marbree sits down with Bill, whose reflections span snow-filled childhoods in upstate New York, profound personal loss, an unexpected career path, and decades of devoted fatherhood. Bill opens up about losing his father and brother at a young age, the years he spent “sleepwalking” through early adulthood, and how falling in love with his wife and daughter brought him back to life. Along the way, he shares insights about leadership, dyslexia, mentorship, and the importance of being honest about what you truly want. 🎧 Key Moments in the Episode * [[00:00:00] – A Snowy Childhood in Upstate New York * [00:05:00] – Losing His Father at 16 and Becoming the Oldest Brother * [00:16:43] – The Vietnam Draft Lottery and a Life-Changing Number * [00:20:22] – An Unexpected Opportunity Launches a Career in IT * [00:24:00] – Falling in Love and Becoming a Father Overnight * [00:30:11] – Bonding and the Power of a Found Family * [00:36:35] – Why Finding the Right Work Matters More Than Any Promotion * [00:40:58] – The Small Gestures That Make a Mother’s Love Last * [00:48:04] – Final Reflections 💬 If this episode resonated with you: * Share it with someone who might also find resonance * Leave a review or rating wherever you listen * Follow the show for more life stories

Ep. 9: From Slopes to Screens: Creating a Career in Hollywood with Eric

In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Eric Jewett, whose story proves that persistence, curiosity, and a bit of luck can take you places you never imagined. Raised in a small New England town where he dreamt of glory on the ski slopes, Eric was a teenager when he first stepped into a cinema. By the time he finished college, his snowy dreams were replaced by the magic of film. Through a lifetime of diligence, learning, and, playing to his strengths, he built a Hollywood career that put him on set with actors and directors at the top of their game. Now a university professor, Eric reflects on the importance of collaboration, embracing humility, and passing hard-earned wisdom on to the next generation of storytellers. 🎧 Key Moments in the Episode * [00:01:29] – Growing Up in Ipswich: A Small Town with Deep Roots * [00:06:05] – Learning Life Skills from a Grandfather’s Workshop * [00:12:00] – Dreams of the Olympics and the Pull of Ski Racing * [00:18:00] – A Film Class That Changed Everything * [00:23:00] – A Hundred Letters, One Call, and an Unexpected Break in Hollywood * [00:30:00] – Learning Production on Return of the Jedi * [00:40:00] – Directing Episodes of Party of Five and Weeds * [00:46:13] – Balancing Family Life with the Demands of Film Work * [00:50:56] – Teaching the Next Generation and the Power of Saying “Yes, And” * [00:54:04] – Final Reflections: Stop Hating Each Other, Start Collaborating 💬 If this episode resonated with you: * Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify * Share this story with a friend who dreams of building a creative life * Hit “Follow” to catch future episodes full of stories, advice, and connection

Ep. 8: Single-Parenthood, Loss, and Resilience with Kris

In a more personal episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Kris, who shares her story with remarkable honesty, insight, and heart. From growing up in a small town in upstate New York to becoming a single mother at 19, through finding a career as an adult, fifty years of marriage and unthinkable loss, Kris’s journey is filled with pivotal moments, some painful, some joyful, and all transformative. Kris shares the challenges of being a young mother in a judgmental era, the decision that changed everything, how she built her life with resilience, the support of family and friends, and the importance of respect. She speaks candidly about her marriage of over 50 years, raising a daughter as a teenager, her career path, and the enduring grief of losing a child. This conversation explores generational expectations, the cost of shame, the power of community, and the unexpected paths we take to become the people we were always meant to be.  Key Moments in the Episode: * [00:00:12] – Childhood Memories, Family Dynamics, and Walking to School * [00:06:40] – Becoming a Single Mother at 19 After a Family Rift * [00:10:57] – Facing Shame, Choosing to Keep Her Daughter, and Finding Support * [00:19:00] – Building a Life: Work, Resilience, and Finding Her Voice * [00:23:00] – Meeting Bill, Marriage, and 50 Years of Learning Together * [00:30:23] – Going Back to School and Earning a Master’s Degree at 39 * [00:33:00] – Social Work, Purpose, and the Lessons of Working in Pediatrics * [00:43:16] – Reflecting on Regrets, Parenting, and the Loss of Her Daughter * [00:57:20] – Words to the World: Kindness, Friendship, and Living Fully If this episode resonated with you: * Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform * Share this story with someone who needs to hear it * Take a moment to reach out to a friend or family member, you never know the difference it might make